Benefits Analyst

General Statement of Job

Responsible for managing and planning the day-to-day operations of the employee benefits programs and claims management (group health, dental, vision, and supplemental policies as well as significant fiscal oversight). Performs administrative and advanced clerical human resource management work related to benefits administratio

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Functions

• Manages and supervises the maintenance of enrollment, application, and claims records for all benefit plans. Identifies and serves as the liaison to procure resources for employees’ physical, financial, and mental health needs.
• Works directly with employees to explain, navigate, and advocate benefits plans.
• Maintains contact with employees and vendors and facilitates proper utilization of benefits. Communicates insurance processes to employees, retirees, and plan representatives. Prepares for open enrollment, coordinates logistics, and manages post-administration tasks.
• Disseminates information on benefit programs and updates to employees and management. Provides high-level customer service (internal and external) by resolving inquiries promptly and equitably through phone, email, and in-person.
• Manages COBRA administration and audits employee benefits files. Tracks benefit billing and participant additions and deletions for employees, retirees, and COBRA participants.
• Oversees the City’s employee wellness clinic programs and assists in budget preparation and multi-year benefits cost projections.
• Processes health, dental, life, and vision accounts payable and purchase card invoices.
• Interprets financial statements and new accounting pronouncements to support day-to-day plan activities and provide assistance to employees, retirees, and management in making sound decisions for long-term wellness strategies. Analyzes fiscal needs continuously, ensuring expenditures align with departmental priorities and managing funds to avoid budget shortfalls. Evaluate and recommend fund transfers to meet unanticipated department expenses.
• Conducts research on trends, provides proposals for cost and implementation of benefit plans, and evaluates the effectiveness of benefit offerings to recommend changes or new designs. Participates in insurance renewals, reviews proposals, verifies costs, and implements plans.
• Tracks and reports on the Wellness Programs, Budget Rebates, Experience and Lag Reports, City Credits, Health Reimbursement Accounts, and imputed income for non-tax dependent/domestic partners.
• Manages IRS and state tax-level correspondence, ensuring timely updates to payroll and routing to finance.
• Ensures compliance with ACA requirements and other state/country-specific regulations; responsible for government filings such as Form 5500, Form 1095/1094, Summary Annual Reports, Non-Discrimination testing, and other required filings.
• Oversees audits and maintains a calendar of compliance requirements.
• Creates and transmits Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) for secure file transfers.
• Responsible for coordinating and promoting events such as: the Employee Health Fair, Employee Assistance Program, Annual Memorial Ceremony, Open Enrollment, New Employee Orientations, and Exit Interviews.

Minimum Education and Training

Requires an Associate’s Degree supplemented by five (5) years of complex benefits management experience preferably in a municipal environment, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Must submit to, and pass, a fingerprint-based national criminal history record check and must be able to obtain, and recertify as required, the appropriate Criminal Justice Security Awareness training. Must possess and maintain a valid state of Florida driver’s license. Must possess or obtain the most current FEMA 100, 200, and 700 certifications within 6 months of appointment to the job.

Working Conditions:

Works primarily in an office environment.

Other:

It is understood that every incidental duty connected with operations enumerated in the job description is not always specifically described, and employees, at the discretion of the City, may be required to perform duties not within their job descriptions.